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JTKSM Licence C · No. 657 · Est. 2018
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Employer checklist · Updated October 2026

How to choose a foreign worker recruitment agency in Malaysia (2026 checklist)

The wrong agency can cost you permits, money and an audit finding. Use these seven checks to verify an agency before you sign, and know which promises should end the conversation.

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Short answer

Confirm the agency's JTKSM licence is active on the official list, get a written split of what the agency does versus what you must do as the employer in FWCMS, require written confirmation that workers pay no recruitment fees, and walk away from anyone who promises to guarantee or speed up quota approval.

The checklist

Seven checks before you sign

CheckA good answer looks likeWhere to verify
1. Is the agency licensed?Licence number, category and validity dates match the official list for the exact company name, and the agency is not on the cancelled or suspended list.JTKSM list of private employment agencies
2. Does the licence match the service?The licence category covers foreign worker recruitment, and the agency can state the area the licence covers.The licence certificate, confirmed against the JTKSM list
3. Who does what in FWCMS?A written split of each step (quota application, levy, VDR, FOMEMA, PLKS), showing which parts the agency performs and which stay with you as the employer.Recruitment process guide
4. Which overseas agency will be used?A named source-country agency, registered with its home government and listed on FWCMS.FWCMS registered agencies · FWCMS FAQ
5. Who pays recruitment costs?A written policy that workers are not charged recruitment fees (Employer Pays Principle).RBA & SMETA guide
6. Is there compliance depth beyond hiring?Evidence of housing (Act 446), statutory payroll and audit-ready documentation, not just a recruitment fee quote.Act 446 · Payroll compliance
7. Are the promises realistic?Timelines given per stage, no guaranteed approval, and no pressure to pay before eligibility is confirmed.Quota guide
Red flags

Promises that should end the conversation

Guaranteed or "fast" quota

KESUMA has moved quota applications to the FWCMS eQuota module and ended case-by-case approvals. No agency can credibly guarantee or accelerate an outcome that the system decides.

Payment to an individual, or worker-paid fees

Ask for invoices from the licensed company, never a personal account. Worker-paid recruitment fees are a direct RBA/SMETA audit risk for your buyers.

Licence shown only as an image

A name that is similar but not identical, a missing validity date, or "renewal in progress" are reasons to stop and check the live JTKSM list.

No named overseas partner

If the agency cannot tell you which source-country agency it will use, you cannot check that agency's FWCMS registration.

How we answer

Check Andaraya the same way

Verify our licence

Agensi Pekerjaan Andaraya Sdn Bhd holds JTKSM Licence C, No. 657. Do not rely on this page alone: look us up on the JTKSM list and compare the number, category and validity. More detail in our Licence C explainer.

Ask us for it in writing

We confirm sector eligibility before a quota application is submitted, and we are happy to put the responsibility split, fee position and process stages in writing so you can compare us line by line against any other agency. See the full foreign worker recruitment service.

Last reviewed 6 October 2026. Regulations change; confirm current requirements with FWCMS and the relevant ministry.

FAQ

Choosing a recruitment agency: common questions

How do I check if a recruitment agency is licensed in Malaysia?
Search the agency's exact registered company name on the JTKSM list of private employment agencies. Compare the licence number, licence category and validity period, and check that the agency is not on the cancelled or suspended list. A certificate image on a website is not proof on its own.
What is the best recruitment agency in Malaysia for foreign workers?
No single agency is best for every employer, and most "top agency" rankings are written by third parties with no published method. Judge each agency on evidence you can verify yourself: an active JTKSM licence, a written split of responsibilities in FWCMS, a named source-country partner, a zero-recruitment-fee policy for workers, and a realistic timeline. See the checklist above.
Can a recruitment agency guarantee my foreign worker quota will be approved?
No. Quota applications are submitted through the FWCMS eQuota module and decided by the authorities. An agency can help you prepare documents and understand sector eligibility, but any promise of guaranteed or fast-tracked approval is a warning sign.
Should foreign workers pay recruitment fees?
Buyers that audit against RBA or SMETA expect recruitment under the Employer Pays Principle, meaning no recruitment fees charged to workers. Ask any agency to confirm its position in writing before you sign. See our RBA & SMETA guide.
What is the difference between a Malaysian agency and the agency in the worker's home country?
A Malaysian agency is licensed by JTKSM and works with you, the employer. A source-country agency recruits and prepares workers overseas. Since 22 August 2026, reports say employers can recruit only through overseas agencies registered on FWCMS. See FWCMS registered recruitment agencies.
How long does it take to hire foreign workers through an agency?
It depends on quota approval, the source country and each permit stage, so treat any single fixed number with caution unless the agency states exactly what it covers. The recruitment process guide sets out each stage.

Want us to run this checklist against our own file?

Tell us your sector, how many workers you need and your preferred source country. We will tell you what is eligible and what to verify first.

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